Feeding mechanism



Feb. 16, 1932. A. LATHAM FEEDING MEGHANISM Original Filed Nov. l2, 19213 Sheets-Sheet igl.v

E Y H/S A TTFNE Y Feb. 16, 1932.

A. LATHAM FEEDING MEGHANISM Original Filed Nov. l2. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet2 /A/VENTOH l M55/e714 ffm/10550- dFeb. 16, 1932. A. LATHAM FEEDINGMECHANISM Original Filed Nov. l2. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 the acoeoperating cylindermay berused. ./Vhen r`thearticles'tobe fed arebuttons, the elevating' member may have surface-'arranged to movement..effected by a plurality otpmver mechanisms,

Patented Feb. ie, i932 l'l'zED STATES PATENT 1-`OF F ICE NGQRBORN,ilMIl'ISTRATOR-QOF SOMERVELE,`MASSAICHUSQTT ASSEGNOR T0 AM'ERIGAN BUTTON& FASTENER CO.,' OF `AUGUSTA,^MAINE, A CORPORATION yOF FEEDING MECHANISM'Ori nal application filed November 12," 1921,' Serial No. 514,621.Divided and this application" filed f October 27; 21927.rSeria1"No'.229i,187.

This invention relates to mechanisms for f feeding articles-one Vbyonelroin a mass, a particular embodiment 1 ieing illustrated herein andbeing adapted for thus delivering buttons.

An object of the invention is to elect the delivery of the articlesunfailingly and inay predetermined. positionpreliminary vto operationswhich are `to-bepertormed iupon yt-hem. To this end, there are combinedin a novelmanner With an article-receptacle.and

a conveyor, as a raceivay leadingr therefrom,

relation ci the articles is obtained before they are acted yupon bythedelivering means',and their orderly advance is assured. f Regardi lessofthe positioning action, there is Yprei@- Y verably employed, foren/ifaDing and elevating fthe articles 'for delivery, a oylindermovable in thereceptacle. "llo ellect the positioningof articles uponsuchen-'elevating cylinder,

support their heads,-"ivhile the positioning Cmember cci-operates Withthe buttoneeyes. i The -delivering'means is shown as Van annulus ot yieldablematerial, as rubber,l acting over the interior of the positioningcylinder. The elevating; member isunder the influence v'feit-means'which "hrst'moves it into engagementA vvithtlie; articles, and 'whichmoves vdeliveringoperation. As herein illustrated, rthe positioningmember*andfdelivering memalso .Tof `means it t extent for the LUL a ber;are also actuated'in this last-mentioned The-various movements are bestas'clin-clics,r hich exercise reciprocal con isyin the-present'instance, oneot mechanism orthe delivering membern` and "Y.stops itself during,` itscycle, to be again started by kthepowermechanism for the-delivering .member forv restoration to normal.Both:mechanisms stop themselves at the terminationfof their cycles. Toso regulate the mechanisms just indicated, or similar com- 'binations,that they will function only when a supply of articles is needed in theraceivay or conveyor -and thus avoid the clogging Whiclimight result ifthe delivering member -were permitted to `iorcelarticles into a full`raceivay, they are placed underthe control kofsaidarticles, acting onlyvWhen these decrease belovv. a certain number.

accomplished a member, as a Enger This may movable bythe 'articles inthe raceway, there being novel connections between this Alinger and theclutch or other-power mechanism tor vgoverning.the initiation of'its'action. In

this Way, the articles in the raceway may be kept from exceeding adesired number'.

f In ,the accompanying drawings,

Fig l is a side elevation of one embodi- `ment Lof the invention, partsbeing broken awayandin section;

- Fig.. 2-is a ybroken side elevation of the clutch mechanism forcontrolling the buttonl'cedingcylinders and co-operating' annulus g i:Figs.' 3, land 5 are transverse' sections on theflines IHhIlI, IVe-IVand V-V, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Figs. 6 and 7 show infperspective the connecting devices vfurthe ltwoportions of the vclutch'mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the controlling means for the clutchmechanism, parts being "y in section;

f Fig. 9 illustrates in perspective the upper portion of thebuttonera'ceway With the c0- operating elevating cylinders;v

Fig. l0 vgives in enlarged vertical section three successivepositions ofthe cylinders; and

Fig. ll is a perspective View of the lower portiony of'the buttonmacewayand co-op era ing button-controllinglingers.

Upon a casing-section 101 ismounted a casn ing 350, having a cylindricalportion 352, at the top of which is carried a receptacle or hopper 354for buttons B. The top of the yhopper 354: is closed by a cover 358having (VMI) has a central hub surrounding the sleeve e, 1t beingsupported upon a screw 220 turning m the hub ot the spider and beingthreads-il into the hub of the wall. By rotating the screw 220, the wall300 may be raised and lowered, so that the space between its lower edgeand the bottom ot' the hopper may be varied to control the `flow otbuttons therethrough. The screw may be fixed in its adjusted position bya collar 222 surrounding the sleeve 208 and having a slot in its side toengage and hold the squared head of the screw. This retaining collar ishown as held in place by the nut 212. Entel ling ".veiticallj.,7 andaxially of the hopper 3:.)4 is a spindle 362, bearing in the casing 101and in the spider-sleeve 208, and resting upon an independent alinedspindle-section S64, the two spindle-sections being divided at 866. Thelower section 804 is lined upon a slide 308 by means of a set-screw 309,so that it may be vertically adjusted. The slide is movable in verticalways in the casing 101, being carried upon the pin of a crank-disk 870con stantly rotated by a horizontal shaft journaled in said casing. Themanner in which this and other actuating elements of the button-feederare moved will later be described. Threaded at 374 upon thespindle-section tor vertical adjustment, and being secured by a lock-nutG. the depending hub 378 el i cylindrical hea d-enga an dbutton-elevating member 880 errang. to slide within 'the cylindricalportion ot' the casing. The ton of this member 80, groovml at 382 (Fig.10) the upper edge being curved downwardly and inwardly and giving adepression into which the button-raads tend to settle from the bottomAoit the hopper, and there be carried with their evers inclined upwardlyand inwardly.

Surrounding the adiacenti p spindle-sections 864 a d held b v aset-screw 885 to 2 adjustment in a slide fl8f vert callv n'iova' in waysin the casing 101. 'lh slide l reciprocated in its ways bv ene; `rementwith it ot the pin of a crankl 888 seemed upon a shaft 390 journaledparallel to the shaft 372 of the associated crankdislc 370. The upperend of the sleeve contacts with a collar or enlargement upon the snindl:11 find thus in the rotation of the era? l upon the cylind r 380. i. fthe slide 887 and the si Y l. cylinder 380, this spring ten ai n erts loi t e tain engagement between the sleeve 384 and the enlargement 392and steadying the cylinder in its movement. The throw of the crankdisk388 is greater than that of the disk 870, so that when the former is inoperation, it

fill carry the upper spindle-section 302 away from the lower section304, elevating the cylinder 380 independently of the action ot the disk370, the spindle sections separating at this time at 360. Arranged toslide vertically in an annular opening between the cylinder 380 and astationary bell 300, the latter being carried upon the sleeve 208, is aneye-engaging and button-positioning cylinder 400. rfhe cylinder 400 isconcentric to the cylinder 380 and with the groove 382 therein forms anannular button-receiving depression. It has an elongated hub 402surrounding the spindle 302, there being at the upper portion anenlargement 404 resting upon the bottom wall or head of the bell G,which thus limits downward movement of' the cylinder 400 Between theupper portion oi the bell and the bottom of the hub 402, encircling thespindle within said hub, is a helical spring 408, which assists gravityin holding the cylinder 400 in its normally lowered position, andsteadies the movement of this cylinder when it is raised. Fastened aboutthe spindlesection 362 below the end of the hub 402 and between it andthe bottom of the hub 378 is a collar 410, which, after a certain upwardtr vel of the spindle, will Contact with the lower extremity of the hub402 to elevate the cylinder 400.

Rotatable about the bottom of the sleeve 208 and being held againstdownward movement by the top of the bell. 396 is a rotatable deliveringdisk 412, having secured to it a horizontally extending annulus 414,which 1n av consist ot a flat ring of rubber. The periphery of thisannulus lies above and just within the interior surface of thepositioning cylinder 400` Through its supporting disk, it is rotated byspur-gearing 416 from a vertical sha'lt 4181i aving a bearing in thebell and in the bottom ofthe portion 352 ot the casing. The shaft 418 isconnected by bevel-gearing 420 with a horizontal shaft 422 arranged toturn in the casing 101 and driven from the shaft 372 by gearing whichwill later be described. As is best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings,when the cylinders 380, 400 are in their highest positions, the rotationof the annulus 414 acts to deliver the buttons B supported upon thecyliders into the curved end ot a downwardly inclined raceway orconeving means which efr' au opening 428 in the upper edges ol thecylinders. The members 380. 400 and 414 therefore cooperate to supplybuttons from the receptacle to the raceway. The lower extremity of theraceway 426 delivers t a point atwhich the buttons are to be operatedupon, as to a table 262 (F ig. 11) at which they are to be assembledivith staples. In cross-section, the raceway 426shoivs aslot 480receiving the button-eyes,

: at eachside ot which slot are curved grooves 432,482,11pon which theunder sides otthe button-bodies rest. Supported above the u is shown a:cover 484, holding'the buttons against outward displacement, thispreferably being carried upon screws 486, by

Which it may be vertically adjusted to .permit of correct co-operationWith buttons of diffe-r-A 'entsizes rEhe actuating mechanism for theelevating and positioning cylinders 380 and 400 and the annulus 414 willnonT be described. rrihis mechanism turns the crankdislr 370continuously, and, under the control oic the buttons inthe racevvay 426,rotates the ing loosely upon the shaft 390. Associated With this clutchmember 442 and also loose upon theshatt 890 is a clutch member 444,

rotated through spur-gearing 446 from thev shaft 872. Each of themembers 442 and 444 has a circular series of internalv depressionsl 448.ietvveen them are respectively cooperating clutch members 450 and 452,the former Vtired to the Vshaft 390 and-the latter loose thereon andconnectedby spur-gearing 454 to the shaft 422. Mounted to turn in themem Vgreater'or l vbers 450 and 452 are the respective connectingmembers 456 and 458 (Figs. 6 and 7 each havin@ a detent-portion 460,which is. urged bj? a spring 462 to leave, by its partial rotation, arecess which it occupies to engage one ot the cepressions 448 and causethe assoeiated clutch members to rotate together. Lach ldetent-portionis normally held out of l` s driving engagement by contact of a protion464 or its connecting member Witha atiifely hired controlling member, sothat i? 8 and 11), rangedto turn a sleeve 468,

under the iniiuence of a spring `f ts end over the raceway into t with abutton therein, or, i=

empty at the point beneath 'i is cai ied do l to' a grezcentaet with theitselr". 470 may l l 1 `udinally the i l ll sleeve 468 au f means or asetscrew to with buttons at difiere preriding` tor i he e gathering o..Rotatable in brach` gmeppmglgl t@ rh@ meer the connecting member 456,which has been.v

lupon it a contact-nger 470.v

l e i The iinger ets rising from the casing 101 and parallel to thespindle 466 is a shaft 476, connected by bevel-gearing 478 with ahorizontal shaft 480 rotated by spiral-gearing 482 trom the shaft 252.Fired upon the shaft 476 is a o Cami 484, contacting With a roll v486upon an arm projecting from the linger 470 `at the opposite side ol itscarrier-sleeve 468. The sleeve 468 also has fast upon it, near its upperextremity, an arm 488, Which is joined by a... linlr 490, preferablyadjustable in length and having universal joints, to one arm ofabellcranlr-lever (Fig. 1) pivoted upon the frame. Joined to theopposite arm ofthe bell-crank lever is a link 494, having at its lowerextremity a hooked engaging member 496 ,(Fig; hen there isa buttonbeneath the finger 470, the connecting elements maintain the hook .ofthe member 496 above the lower end et a stop member 498, Which.v 85 issupported upon a vertical spindle 500 mounted to slide in the trame, andforced normally down by a spring` 502 surrounding the siindlepfA spring504, connecting` ythe end of th hooked member and frame, holds.,

. the former against the side 'of the-stop mem- .ameterg which inits`iotation acts suiciently upon this iinger to raise it and allow thedownward travel of the buttons along the raceway. Now, however, the roll486 is fully-` raised into Contact with the periphery of the cani, 'andthis, in its rotation, moves the connections of the hooked member 496 inthe op- Yposite direction to'that in which they Were carried bythefaetion of the spring 472. Con'-. sequently, the hooked memberislifted, carrying With it they stop member 498 and compressing thespring 502. This rise of the member 498-releases the projection 464 of115 resting against the side of the stop member, and said connectingmember is rotated by its spring 462 until theiengaging port-ion 460turns into one of the depressions 448 of the constantly rotating clutchmember 442. This drives the clutch member 450, by Which the connectingmember 456 is carried untilthe projection 464 strikes the sides of anupwardly spring-pressed stop member 508 mounted similarly to the stopmember 498. rEhe con` tact turns the connecting member 456 against thetension of its spring, restoring the engaging portion 460 to itsvnormalposition out of the depression 448 and releasing the driven clutchmember 450 from the driving membery 13G 442, the former thv iing stoppedafter it has rotated throu 180 degrees. is soon as the clutch r l 'f Os* d in rotation, a 'am-projectie.. ery came into ce ber 496, releasiir,the end of the stop n ing the spring to r said stop member to itslowered posi on, liooli of the member "96 agai resting against the ou erside of the stop member, ready 4for a succeeding action. its the ppingpo of the clutch member 450 is approached, a projection 516 upon l*turned through nearlj' a halt r o. comes beneath the under side ot a le'r 512 pivoted upon the frame having i opposite end articulated to aspringfire d stop member 516 arranged similar",y ie eon'ipanion stopmembers 498 and ritter the projection 510 has passed be* :ath and forcedup the lever 512, an inclined surit'aee 518 upon it lies beyond,consideri the direction ot rotation, a surface 520 upon the lever 512,so that reverse. moveinii-nt rebound of the clutch 1n uber 450 pieve l.half-rotation ot t crank-disk liP gr degrees and sto "l iil'eet of thiswill hereinafter be d scribed. lhen the lever 512 was raised by theprojection 510, it lifted the stop member :316 away rom the projec- 06upon its periphth the hoeiied memengagement with 498 and allowtion 464ot the conne C member 458 mounted in the cluten member 1 The conisi'neupen turned by its rlv to the associated clutch memer 444.1Botaeontii u neeting member spring 462, and, connecting member ber 452to 'the driv.A tion et this member 4 until it has made a ce at ns faces518 and to prevent the rebound oit the clutch member 4' milar to that otthe member 450. The clutch member 452 having thus been stopped and ithas, through the intermed U 420, 416l (Fig. l), turned the annu el Jongha complete rotation. The dc-.fn\vard movement of the stop member 508,und r the intl the lever 524, releases tion oit the eonneetnrir meinl er456, which caused the holding ot the clutch member 450 at the end of itshaltaotation. T connecting member 456 is consequently t u turned by itsspring, so that the :rota n ot the member 450 is effected by the e'iving member 442 until the projection 464 of the member 456 returns toits initial position, at which it contacts with the stop member 498.This causes the release of the clutch member 450, which has nowcompleted a full turn, bringing the crank-disk 888 to its initialposition. The levers 512 and 524 are eut out at 528 and 530 torespectively permit the passage ot' the projections and 510 withouteilleet upon such levers, which, as has been cX- plained, are movedrespectively by the projections 51() and 522.

The el'ect of the actuating mechanism described above upon thebutton-elevating and positioning cylinders 380 and 400 and upon theannulus 414 is as follows: The cylinder 380 is constantly reciprocatedby the crankdisk 370, the spindle-secti ons 362 and 364 being in Contactat 366. This causes the heads ot the buttons B in the hopper 354 tosettle into the groove 382 with their eyes resting against thepositioning cylinder 400, as may clearly be seen at the lower portion ofFig. 10 and also in Fig. 1. As long as there are, buttons in the lowerportion of the raceway 426 as tar abave 'the delivery-end as the linger470, so that the letter is held out ot contact with the cam 484, thecrank-disk 388 remains at rest and the cylinder 400 out o't operation.lVhen, however, the buttons have been used from the raceway until theupper one therein passes below the linger, the release of this producesthe half-rotation of the crank-disk 388, which has just been described.The movement et'. the ide 387, under the influence of the crank-disk388, causes the Contact of the end of the sleeve 384 with theenlargement 392 upon the spindle to raise the elevating cylinder 380 toa greater extent than has been etlieeted by the crank-disk 37() otshorter throw, tbe spindie-sections now separating at 366. The cylindersare eonsequently related as appears at the center ot Fig. 10. At thistime, the eyes ot' the buttons lie in a substantially horizontal planeabove the upper end oi' the positioning cylinde;l 400. New the collar410 upon the spindle strikes the lower extren ity of the hub 402 ot thepositioning cylinder, and the cylinders move up together, as shown atthe upper portion of Fig. 10. In this relation the button-eyes have beencaught between the inner sui-tace of the cylinder 400 and the outer edgeof the annulus 414 and brought to a vertical position. As the cylindersrest, the rotation ot the annuius is started under the infiuence of theclutch member 452, and by the frietional engagement ot the yieldablematerial the buttons are dragged about the cylinder 460 and into theslot 480 of the raceway 426, down which they slide into contact with thebuttons which remain therein. It should be noted that the elevatingcapacity of the cylinder 380 for a single operation preferably does notexceed the holding eaj to the table 262. The linger 542 is pacity of theraceWay above the finger 470. rlhere is now a button-body beneath theiinger, so that when it is released by the cam 484 it is over a buttonin the raceway, upon which it descends to maintain y 496 out of liftingiv member 498 unt-il the buttons he.

ered in the raceWay to a point beyond it.

The button-receiving reciprocation oi the cylinder 88() is novi resumed,and the action otl he positioning cylinder and teedi nulus ceases untilthe supply ot' b vhe raceWay has passed beloiv the linK e By thisintermittent delivery, crow l clogging ot buttons in the racexvay isentirely avoided, it being evident that diiF iltics Would result Yverethe foro ng of the buttons into the slot 480 to constantly continue uneer the influence oft trictional engagement ot thc annulus 414.

in addition to the cam 484, the shaft 47 6 carries cams 532 and actingrespectircly upon upper and lower retaining lingers 536 and co-operatingwith the buttons in the raceyvay 426 below the finger 4.70. rhe tinfrer536 turns with the spindle 466, and the linger 588 about said spindle.Springs 540, 540 cause the finger 536 to move, When permitted by itscam, into contact With a buttonbody, while the linger 538 is car lied,when treed by the cam, just in front ot the next button below thatengaged by the linger 586.A

rEhe action of the cams 582 and is to al` ternately raise the lingersand permit them to be lowered, the cam 584 being preferably ot thequick-drop type, and the relation between the movements being such thatas they lowest button is released by the finger 588, the button above isheld by the linger 586, and that ythereafter when the lower linger isdown the upper `finger frees its button to take the place of the onejust released by the linger 588. The button Which leaves the linger 538slides down the raceway into the path ot an oscillatory delivery-nger542 (Figs. 8 and 11) having a hooled end operating' in the slot 430,which serves by its forward movement to positively advance the buttonsone by one secured upon a short shaft 544 j ournaled in a bracket 546mounted on the casing 101. T iis bracket also guides a reciprocatoryhorizontal rod 548, having formed upon it rack-teeth 550, which meshwith teeth of a gear-segment 552 tast upon the shaft 544. At theopposite end ot the rod 548, rack-teeth 554 are formed, engaged by agear-segment 556 secured upon a horizontal shaft 558. rfhe shaft 558also carries, iiXed upon it, a segment 560, engaged iv a rack-bar 562sliding in vertical Ways the trame and having a roll or projection 564entering a groove in a cam 566 fast upon the shaft 480. The rod 548includes relatively movable sections, one 568 being tubular andcontaining a spring 570 co-operat'ing with the companion section andpermitting the rod to yield in event of improper engagement of thelinger 542 with the buttons. The section 568 may also be adjustable asto length, having a portion 572 threaded upon a stem 574 projecting 'romthe adjacent section, and lined in the desired position by a lock-nut5'? 6. By means of this adjustment, the relation or". the finger 542 tothe button which it to deliver may be varied.

rhe present application is a division of hat application forimprovements in Mafor assembling and mounting articles, tiled onNovember' 12, 1921, in the name of J ames fd/7. Nourbourn, administratorof the estate of .Lf-libert Latham, deceased, and bearing the Serial No.514,621. This application matured into Letters Patent No. 1,681,244 on'e ugnst 21, 1928.

raving' described the invention, What is claimed as new and is desiredto be secured by Letters Patent of the TJnited States is:

1. 1n a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, an article-positioning member co-operating with the engagingmember, means for first moving one or" said members independently ot theother and thereafter moving them together, and means for delivering thepositioned articles to the conveyor.

2. 1n machine oi the class described, an article-repectacle, a conveyorleading' therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, means tor moving the receptacle and engaging memberrelatively to remove articles from the associated ar'- ticles in thereceptacle, article-positioning means co-operating With the engagingmember, means for moving the engaging member independently of thepositioning' member, means for moving the engagingmember and positioningmeans together, and means for delivering the positioned articles to theconveyor.

ln a machine or" the class described, an article-receptacle, a conveyorleading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, means for elevating the engaging member to litt articlesfrom the associated articles in the receptacle, an article-positioningmember co-operating with the engaging member, said positioning memberbeing held stationary during such lifting action and being thereaftermovable, and means tor delivering the positioned ar ticles to theconveyor.

4. ln a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, means tor elevating the engaging member to lift articlesfrom the associated articles in the receptacle, an articlefri ` foractuating the delivering member.

5. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, a racewayleading therefrom, a cylinder movable in the receptacle to elevate thearticles, and means movable in cooperation with the cylinder to deliverarticles to the racevvay.

6. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, araceivay leading therefrom, a plurality of cylinders movable in thereceptacle and co-operating to elevate the articles, and meansco-operating Jith the cylinders to deliver articles to the raceway.

7 In a machine or' the class decribed, an article-receptacle, a raceivayleading therefrom, a plurality of concentric cylinders movable inproximity to one another and. to the receptacle and co-operating toelevate the articles, and means co-operating vvi'th the cylinders todeliver articles to the raceway.

8. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, a racewayleading therefrom, a plurality of cylinders movable in the receptacleand co-operating to elevate the articles, means co-operating with thecylinders to deliver articles to the raceivay, means for reciprocatingthe cylinders to elevate the articles, and means co-operating With thecylinders to deliver articles to the raceway.

9. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aracevsay leading therefrom, a plurality of cylinders movable in thereceptacle and co-operating to elevate 'the articles, and rotatablemeans cci-operating With the cylinders to deliver articles te theraceway.

l0. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-conveyor leading therefrom, an article-carrying member operatingin the receptacle, means ter moving the carrying member to elevatearticles from those in the receptacle, a reciprocatoryarticle-positioning member co-operating with the carrying member, meanseifective after the elevating movement of the carrying member has beeninitiated for initiating movement ot the positioning member, and meansfor delivering the positioned articles to the conveyor.

11. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-conveyor leading therefrom, an article-carrying member operatingin the receptacle, an article-positioning member co-operating with thecarrying member, and a rotatable delivering member arranged to contactWith the positioned articles and co-operating with the conveyor.

12. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aracevvay leading therefrom, a cylinder movable in the receptacle toelevate the articles, and a contact member opposite which the cylinderis moved and which acts to deliver articles to the raceway.

13. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle having atits bottom an annular opening, a. plurality ot concentric cylindersoperating in the opening, means arranged to move the cylinders upwardlyto the delivering position, and delivering means co-operating with thecylinders at such delivering position.

14. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an elevating member having anarticle-receiving depression movable in the receptacle, a member'co-operating With the elevating member to change the position of thearticle in the depression, and means for delivering a positioned articlefrom engagement by the elevating and positioning members to theconveyor.

15. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, means for moving the receptacle and engaging memberrelatively to remove articles from the associated articles in thereceptacle, an article-positioning member co-operating with the engagingmember, and means for delivering the positioned articles to theconveyor, the delivering means being arranged to co-operate with thearticles upon the positioning member to position them.

16. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle. means for moving the receptacle and engaging memberrelatively to remove articles rom the associ .ted articles in thereceptacle, an article-positioning member co-operating with the engagingmember, and means for delivering the positionec articles to theconveyor', the delivering means being arranged to press articles againstthe positioning means.

17. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aconveyor leading therefrom, an article-engaging member operating in thereceptacle, means for moving the receptacle and engaging memberrelatively to remove articles from the associated articles in thereceptacle, an article-positioning member co-operating with the engagingmember, and means for delivering the positioned articles to theconveyor, the delivering means being arranged to contact with thearticles to further position them prior to delivery.

18. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, araccway leading therefrom, a cylinder having its upper edge Within thereceptacle and provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface,an inner concentric cylinder co-operating with said inclined surface tofurnish an annular nq in and an annulus of yieldable material contactingwith the elevated articles to deliver them to the raceway.

Q0. ln a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, araceivaL leading therefrom, means Yfor elevating-articles from thereceptacle into proximity With the raceivaly, and a rubber ringcontacting` with the elevated articles to deliver them to the racevray.

E21. In a machine of the class describe an article-receptacle, araceivay leading therefrom, mea ns for elevating articles from thereceptacle into proximity with the raceway, an anniilns or yieldablematerial contacting with the elevated articles to deliver tnem to theracevvav` and means tor rote-tina J i n..

the annulus to deliver said article to the race- Way.

22. ln a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, araceivay leading` therefrom, a cylinder movable in the receptacle toelevate the articles, and a yieldable aniiulus co-op-erating With thecylinder to deliver elevated articles to the raceway.

ln a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, a raceivayleading therefrom, a. cylinder movable in the receptacle to elevate thearticles, and a yieldablo niilus arranged to contact with the articlesto position them upon the cylinder and to deliver them ,to the raceivay.

ln a machine oi' the class described, an article-receptacle, a racevvayleading therefrom, cylinder movable in the receptacle to elevate thearticles, a yieldable annulus cooperating With the interi-or of thecylinder, and means for rotating said annulus to deliver articles fromthe cylinder to the race- Way.

a machine of the class described.l a button-receptacle, a racen/ayleading' therefrom an elevatinginember having a surface arr ged tosupport the button-heads, a member cri-operating with the eyes of theelevate,r buttons to position them, and livering the positioned buttonsto the race- Way.

26. ln a machine of the class described, a button-receptacle, a racewayleading therefrom, an elevating member havingn a surface arranged tosupport the button-heads, an elevating member contacting with thebuttoneyes, means for moving` the members to 'arrangethebnttons in apredetermined posi-v ;tion on an elevating member, and means yfor meansfor dedelivering the positioned buttons to the race- Way.

27. In a machine of the class described, a button-receptacle, a racevvayleading therefrom, an elevating `member having a supporting surface, asecond elevating member co-opera-ting with said surface to furnish adepression to receive the button-heads, means for movin@` the membersielativelT to cause the button-eyes to rest upon the top of the secondmember, and means contacting with said eyes to raise them from thedepression f and deliver them to the racevvay.

2311i a machine of the class described, a button-receptacle, a racewayleading thereiroin, concentric cylinders co-operating to furnish adepression to receive the buttonheads means 'or movine` the c lindersrela-V tively to bring the button-eyes to predetermined posit-ions, anannulus situated iv'thin the cvlinders for deliverin buttonsV to 'beraceivay, and means for moving the c5- rs and annulus relatively toprepare the buttons for delivery.

29. ln a machine of the class described, a receptacle arranged toreceive a mass of articles, means for conveying articles from the rccepacle, normallyinetfective means l' e ating a series ot articles from themass in the receptacle, means tor delivering series oi" articles fromthe separating means to the conveyingmeans, and means controlled by theposition of the articles to rendev the separating means effective and toa te the delivery means.

30. la a machine of the class described, a receptacle arranged toreceive a mass of articles, means tor conveying articles from thereceptacle, means for supplying articles from the receptacle to theconveying means, means controlled by the artic-les to govern the vor;

iet"

supplying means, and means arranged to" change the normal relationbetween the governing means Yand the articles Which con- 4- 1 '-,leioiit.

3l. ln .a machine ot the class described, a receptacle arranged toreceive a. mass of articles, means for conveying articles from thereceptacle to the conveying means, means controlled b f the articles toOovern the su plying means, and means arranged to change the position ofthe governing` means and thereby alter the number of articles whichcause the actuation ot said governing means.

32. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, n sansfor conveying articles from the recepita-cie, means for supplyingarticles trom the receptacle to the conveyor, means Yfor governing thesupply of articles to thc conveyor, said governing means including amember initially controlled power mechanism into co-operation With inits movement by the articles, and

33. In a machine of the class described, a hopper` for articles, alraceivay delivering therefrom, mechanism for supplying articles from theho'rpcr to the raceway, actuating mechanism for the supplying mechanism,a governing member controlled by the articles, power mechanism intoco-operation with which the governing member is moved, and connectionsbetween said member and the actuating mechanism.

3l. In a machine of the class described, a hopper for articles, araceway delivering therefrom, means for elevating articles from thehopper into co-operation with the raceway, means movable to deliver'articles from the elevating means to the raceway, actuating mechanis 1ntor the elevating means and delivery means, a governingl membercontrolled by the articles, and connections between said member and theactuating mechanism.

35. In a machine olf the class described, a hopper for articles, araceway delivering therefrom, a reciprocatory member arranged to elevatearticles from the hopper, a. rotatable member arranged to contact with.the articles thus elevated and :torce them into the raccway, drivingmeans :tor the reciproeatory member and the rotatable member, a.governing member controlled by the articles, and connections betweensaid member and the driving means.

36. In a machine of the class described, a hopper 'tor articles, araceivay delivering therefro a, means for elevating articles from thehopper into co-operation with the raceway, a rotatable member contactingwith. the articles upon the elevating member to feed them into theraceway, actuating mechanism for the elevating mem er and teedingmember, a finger contacting with the articles in the raceivay, and conne"tions etween said linger and the actuating mechanism.

377. In a machine of the class described, a ,hopper for articles,raceway delivering therefrom, mechanism ttor supp1 jing articles fromthe hopper to the race/way, clutch mechanism 'for actua-. the supplyingmechanism, a .linger movable toward and from the articles in 'theracexrPv aid linger being arranged for adjust n along the raceway, andconnections between tle finger and clutch mechanism.

38. In a machine of the cla f lcscribed` a hopper for articles, araceviy delivering therefrom, mechanism tor e rating articles from thehopper, rotat e member cooperating with the elevating mechanism to feedsaid articles to the aceway, clutch meehanism for act-nati .ie elevatingmechanism and feeding membc, a linger movable toward and from thetic-les the raeeway, cam mechanism acti u )on the finger, andconnections between mechanism.

39. In a machine of the class described, a button-hopper, a racewaydelivering from the hopper and having a slot to receive the button-eyes,means for supplying buttons from the hopper to the racer ray, thecapacity ofthe supplying means having a definite relation to thecapacity of the raceway, means for controlling the movement of thebuttons from the raceway, and a member co-operating with the heads ofthe buttons in the raeeway and arranged to govern the supplying means.

40. In a machine of the class described, a button-hopper, a racewaydelivering from the hopper, means for supplying buttons from the hopperto the raceway, actuating mechanism therefor, means situated near thelower portion ot' the raceway for controlling the movement of thebuttons from the raceway, a member mounted adjacent to the raceway at apoint higher' than the controlling means for contact with the buttons insaid raceway, connections between the member and actuating mechanism,and rotatable means arranged to move both the controlling means andcontact member.

el. In a machine of the class described, a button-hopper, a racewaydelivering from the hopper, means for supplying buttons from the hopper'to the raceway, means for controlling the movement of battons vfrom theraceway, a governing linger i'or the sapplying means pivoted adjacent tothe raceway arranged to contact with the buttons therein at a pointhigher than the controlling means, and mounting ior the lingerconstructed to permit it to be adjusted toward and from the controllingmeans.

In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, an engagingmember operating therein, means tor moving the engaging member to eilectits engagement with articles in the receptacle, means for moving theengaging member to a greater extent to bring the engaged articles to adelivery position, and delivering n'ieans co-operating with the thuspositioned articles.

43. In a. machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anengaging member operating therein, means for moving the engaging memberto effect its engagement with articles in the receptacle, meanscontrolled by the delivered articles for moving the engaging member to agreater extent to bring the engaged articles to a delivery position, anddelivering means tro-operating with the thus positioned articles.

44:. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anengaging member operating therein and having an article-receivingdepression, means for moving the engaging member to introduce articlesinto the depression, means fer moving the engaging member to bring theengaged articles to a delivery position, and delivering meansco-operating with the thus positioned articles.

45. In a machine of the class described, an article-receiving member, anarticle-engaging member operating therein, means Vfor actuating one ofthe members, and a second means for actuating said member to a greaterextent than the first-mentioned actuating means, the second actuatingmeans acting independently of the first.

46. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aplurality of movable article-engaging members operating therein, meansfor actuating one of the members, and a second means actingindependently of the rst actuating means for actuating said member, oneof said actuating means being arranged to move another article-engagingmember.

47. In a machine of the class'described, an article-receptacle,` aplurality of movable article-engaging members operating therein, meansfor actuating one of the members, and a second means for actuating saidmember, one of said actuating means being arranged to move anotherarticle-engaging member after it has imparted ay predetermined travel tothe first-mentioned member.

48. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, aplurality of movable article-engagingk members operating therein, meansfor reciprocating one of the'members, andmeans for reciprocating saidmember to a greater extent out of co-operation with the first-mentionedreciprocating means.

49'.' In af machine of theclass described, an article-receptacle, aplurality of'movable article-engaging members operating therein,meansfor'reciprocating one of the members, and means'forreciprocatingsaid member to a greater extenty out of co-operation With thefirst-mentioned reciprocating means and cooperating with anotherengaging member to actuate it.

50.y Ina machine'of the class described, an article-receptacle,.aplurality of movable article-engaging members operatingy therein, meansfor actuating one of the members, a secondA meansfor actuating saidmember, one of said actuating means being arranged to moveanotherarticle-engaging member, and a-rticle.-'f.lelivering means intoco-operation with which` one of the engaging members is thus moved. f v

5l. Inra machine ofthe class described, an article-receptacle, aplurality of movable article-engaging members' operating therein, meansfor reciprocating one ofthe members, means for reciprocating said memberto a greater extent out ofco-operation With the tirst-mentionedreciprocatingr means and for also reciprocating ,an associated engagingmember, and article-delivering means into cooperationwith which theengaging members are carried by: this greater movement.

52; In amachine ofthe class described, an article-receptacle, aplurality ofL movable article-engaging members operating therein, means`for yactuatingone ofthe members,a second means for actuating saidmember, one of said actuating means being arranged to move vanotherarticle-engaging member, arl ticle-delivering means into cri-operationWith which the engaging members are thus moved, and means arranged toactuate the articledeliveringl means only When such co-operationisbrought about. f

53. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering mem'- ber operating therein, a cylinder movable inthe receptacle, means for moving the cylinder to effect its engagementwith the articles, and means thereafter acting to move the cylinder intoco-operation with the delivering member.

54.` In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-carrying membermovable in the receptacle, means for moving the carrying member toeffect its engagement With the articles, and means con-- trolled by thearticles for moving the carrying member into co-operation with thedelivering member.

55. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-deliveringy member voperating therein, an. article-carryingmember movable in the receptacle, means for moving the carrying memberto effect its engagement with the articles, means movable to change theposition of the articles on the carrying member, and means for movingthe delivering member to cause the delivery of the positioned articles.

56. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-carrying membermovable in the receptacle, means for moving the carrying member toeifect its engagement with the articles, means to position the articleson the carrying member, and means controlled by the articles for movingthe delivering member to cause the delivery of the positioned articles.

57. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-carrying membermovable in the receptacle, means for reciprocating the carrying memberto eifect its engagement with the articles, and means thereafter actingto move the carrying membcrthrough a greater distance than itsarticle-engaging reciprocation to cause its co-operation With deliveringmember.

58. In a machine of the class described, an'

article-receptacle, an article-delivering member operating therein, anarticle-carrying membermovable in the receptacle, means forreciprocating the carrying member to effect its engagement with thearticles, andy means controlled by the delivered articles for moving thecarrying member through a greater distance than its article-engagingreciprocation to cause its co-operation with the delivering member.

59. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operatmg therein, an article-carrying membermovable in the receptacle, means for moving the carrying member toeffect its engagement with the articles, means co-operating with thecarrying member to position the articles thereon, and means effectiveonly during such co-operation for moving the delivering member to causethe delivery of the articles.

60. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering mem` ber operating therein, associatedarticle-cngaging members, and means for moving one only of the membersto cause its engagement with the articles and to bring the engagedarticles into predetermined relation with the associated member, saidassociated member being thereafter movable With its companion memberinto co-operation With the delivering member.

61. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, associated article-engagingmembers, means for moving one ot' the members to cause its engagementwith the articles and to bring the engaged articles into predeterminedrelation with the associated member, said associated member beingmovable with its companion member into co-operation with the deliveringmember, and means effective only during such co-operation for moving thedelivering member to 'ausethe delivery ot the articles.

62. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, associated article-cngagingmem ers, means for moving one of the members to cause its engagementWith the articles and to bring the engaged articles into predeterminedrelation with the associated member, said associated member beingmovable with its companion member into co-operation with the deliveringmember, and means controlled by the delivered articles for moving thedelivering member to cause the delivery of the articles.

63. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member tor elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, and a plurality of independentactuating devices for the elevating member. Y

64. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a plurality of independentactuating devices for the elevating member, and an article-position mgmember co-ope 'ating with the elevating member and being movable withthe elevating member under the infiuence of one ot the actuatingdevices.

65. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a support for the elevating memberhaving independently movable sections, and actuating devicesco-operating with different sections.

G6. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a Supporttor the elevating memberhaving independently movable sections, actuating devices co-operatingwith different sections, and means arranged to vary the position of thesupporting sections on the actuating devices.

67. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a spindle upon which the elevatingmember is mounted, a sleeve surrounding and arranged to support thespindle, slides connected to the spindle and sleeve respectively, andmeans for moving the slides independently.

68. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a spindle upon which the elevatingmember is mounted, a sleeve surrounding and arranged to support thespindle, slides connected to the spindle and sleeve respectively, meansarranged to permit the position of the spindle and sleeve upon theslides to be varied, and means for moving the slides independently.

69. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, actuating means for the elevatingmember, and an article-positioning member co-operating with theelevating member, there being a portion of the actuating means movableinto co-operation with the positioning means to cause its actuation.

70. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, an article-positioning memberco-operating with the elevating member, a support for the elevatingmember, and an actuating device for the support, the support having acontact portion movable into'co-operation with the positioning member toactuate it.

7l. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member, a member for elevating articles from thereceptacle to the delivering member, a spindle upon which the elevatingmember is mounted, a sleeve surrounding and arranged to supllo' vportthe spindle, slides connected to the spin- -dle and sleeve respectively,means for moving the slides independently, and an articlepositioningmember co-operating with the elevating member, the spindle having acollar movable into engagement with the posi- ,ftioning member.

lmechanisms for actuating the engaging means, said power 'mechanismsVbeing' arranged 4to eXercise reciprocal control.

74. 'In a 4machine of the classdescribed, an article-receptacle,article-engaging means operating therein, a plurality of powermechanisms for actuating the engagingmeans, and means controlled by anarticle for governing the power mechanism, one of said power `mechanismsbeing vprovided with means for governing theother.

7 5. 'In a'machine of the class described, an article-receptacle,article-engaging means operating 1therein, and a plurality oit' powermechanisms for actuating the engaging means, one of said powermechanisms being provided'with means for starting the opera- Jfion ofanother.

76. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle,varticle-engaging means operating therein, and a plurality of powermechanisms for actuating the engaging means, yone of lsaid powermechanisms being eration of another, the thus vgoverned mechanism havingmeans for stopping its own operation.

78. In a lmachine of the class described, an

'article-receptacle,' article-engaging means operating therein, and aplurality of power .mechanisms for actuating the engaging means. vone otsaid power mechanisms being provided with means for starting the op-:eiation vof another, the thus governed mech- `anism having 'means forstarting the governing mechanism.

i9. In a machine of `the class described,

:an article-receptacle, Varticle-engaging means :operating therein, `anda 4plurality of power mechanisms forV y.actuating the engagingarticle-engaging means means, one of said power mechanisms being'provided with means for starting the operation ot' anotheig'thethusgoverned mechanism having means for stopping its own operation andstarting Athe governing mechani-sm.

80. In a machine ofthe class described, an article-receptacle,article-engaging means operating therein, a lplurality of powermechanisms for actuating the engaging means,

and vmeans controlled by an article for starting the operation of apower mechanism, said started ymechanism being provided with means forstarring the operation-of another.

8l. .In a machine ot thefclass described, an article-receptacle,article-engaging means operating therein, a plurality of powermechanisms lfor actuating the engaging means,

rand means controlled by an article for starting Athe operation of a`power mechanism, said started mechanism being provided with means forstarting the operation of another and lfor stopping its own operation.

82. In a machine of the class described,

Van article-receptacle, an article-delivering member operating therein,an article-elevating member for supplying the delivering member, 4andpower mechanisms for respectively actuating the delivering member andelevating member, each ot' said power mechanisms being provided withmeans for governing the other.

83. In a machine of the class describec, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-elevating member.for supplying the delivering member, and power mechanisms forrespectively actuating the delivering member and elevating member, thepower mechanism for the elevating member being provided with means forstarting the power mechanism of the delivering member.

84. In machine of the class described, an .article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering memberoperating therein, an article-elevating memberfor supplying the delivering member, power mechanisms for respectivelyactuating the delivering member and elevating mem-ber, and meanscontrolled by a delivered article for starting the power mechanism ofthe elevating member, said power mechanism being provided with means forstarting the power mechanism of the delivering member.

85. Ina machine of the class described, an'

actuating the delivering member and elevat- Y ing member, and meanscontrolled by a delivered article for starting the power mechanism ofthe elevating member, said power `mechanism being provided with meansfor starting the power mechanism of the delivering member and orstopping its own operation.

8G. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-elevating memberfor supplying the delivering member power l'm-clianisms tor resi'ctivrly actuating the delivering member and elevating member, and meanscontrolled by a delivered article for starting the power mechanism ofthe elevating member, said power mechanism being provided with means forstarting the power mechanism of the delivering member and for stoppingits own operation and said power mechanism ot the delivering memberhaving means for again starting the power mechanism et the elevatingmember.

Si'. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-elevating memberfor supplying the delivering member, power mechanisms for respectivelyactuating the delivering member and elewitingr member, and meanscontrolled by a delivered article for starting the power mechanism ofthe elevating member, .said power mechanism being provided with meansfor starting the power mechanism ot the delivering member' and forstopping its own operation and said power mechanism of the deliveringmember having means for again starting the power mechanism ofi theelevating member and for stopping its own operation.

88. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, an article-elevating memberfor supplying the delivering member, power mechanisms tor respectivelyactuating the delivering member and ele ating member, and meanscontrolled by a delivered article for starting the power mechanism otthe elevating member, said power mechanism being provided with means`for starting the power mechanism of the delivering member and forstopping its own operation at the completion of the elevating movement.

89. In a machine of the class described. an article receptacle, twoarticle enga-ging members operating therein. power means. and clutchesfor connecting said engaging members to the power means, one of saidclutches having means for causing a movement of the other.

90. In a machine of the class described, an artiele-receptacle` twoarticle-en ga ging members operating therein, power means, and clutchesfor connecting said engaging members to the power means, one of saidclutches having means for causing the engagement of the other and itsown disengagement.

91. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, twoarticle-engaging members operating therein, power means and clutchesJfor connecting said engaging members to the power means, each of saidclutches having means for causing the engagement of the other and itsown disengagement.

92. In a machine of the class described. an article-receptacle, twoarticle-engaging members operating therein, power means, clutches forconnecting said engagingr members to the power means, and meanscontrolled by an article for causing the engagement of one of theclutches, the thus engaged clutch being provided with means for causingthe engagement of the associated clutch.

93. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, twoarticle-engaging members opera-ti ng therein, power means, clutches forconnecting said engaging members to the power means, and meanscontrolled by an article for causing the engagement of one of theclutches, the thus engaged clutch being provided with means for causingthe engagement of the associated clutch and each of said clutches havingmeans for causing its own disengagement.

94. In a machine of the class described, an article-receptacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, a member for elevatingarticles from the receptacle to the delivering member, power means,clutches for respectively connecting the delivering member and elevatingmember to the power means, and means controlled by a delivered articlefor causing the engagement of the clutch for the elevating means, saidclutch being provided with means for causing the engagement of theclutch for the article-delivering means.

95. In a machine of the class described, an article-rece} )tacle, anarticle-delivering member operating therein, a member for elevatingarticles from the receptacle to the delivering member, power means,clutches for respectively connecting the delivering member and elevatingmember to the power means, and means controlled by a. vdelivered articlefor causing the engagement of the clutch for the elevating means. saidclutch being provided with means for causing the engagement of theclutch for the article-delivering means and for causing its owndisengagement after partial rotation.

96. In a machine ot the class described, an article-receptacle, ana1.ticledeli\f'ering mem ber operating therein, a member for elevatingarticles from the receptacle to the delivering member, power means,clutches for respectively connecting the delivering member and elevatingmember to the power means, and means controlled by a delivered articlefor causing the engagement of the clutch for the elevating means, saidclutch being provided with means for causing the engagement of theclutch for ldie article-delivering means and for causing its owndisengagement after partial rotation and the clutch of the deliver-

